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The creatures and cultures of Madagascar expand your imagination. The Madagascar Lemur Adventure focuses on finding and observing the endemic birds, animals, plants, and insects of Madagascar in three of the best parks and sanctuaries. After arriving in the capital of Antananarivo – The City of a Thousand Warriors – you will venture out to several natural reserve areas to explore the luxurious and secluded tropical beaches while searching for lemurs and other unusual wildlife. An experienced naturalist guide will help you identify some 115 plant species, 83 bird species, and 26 reptile species within the reserves, as well as assisting in locating the primary viewing targets of the trip: lemurs. Conclude your expedition by exploring some of the more remote islands off the main coast.

The creatures and cultures of Madagascar expand your imagination. The Madagascar Lemur Adventure focuses on finding and observing the endemic birds, animals, plants, and insects of Madagascar in three of the best parks and sanctuaries. After arriving in the capital of Antananarivo – The City of a Thousand Warriors – you will venture out to several natural reserve areas to explore the luxurious and secluded tropical beaches while searching for lemurs and other unusual wildlife. An experienced naturalist guide will help you identify some 115 plant species, 83 bird species, and 26 reptile species within the reserves, as well as assisting in locating the primary viewing targets of the trip: lemurs. Conclude your expedition by exploring some of the more remote islands off the main coast.

Itinerary

ADay 1Arrive in Antananarivo

Upon arrival in Antananarivo (‘Tana’ – the City of a Thousand Warriors), you will be met and transferred to your local hotel.

Meals

Dinner

BDay 2Fort Dauphin to Berenty Reserve

This morning you will transfer back to the airport for your flight to the town of Ft. Dauphin. Upon arrival, you will depart overland on a two-hour scenic drive to Berenty, a unique private nature sanctuary in the extreme southeast of Madagascar. Berenty is located at the end of a vast mountain range near many tropical beaches. Here you will spend time exploring the Berenty Reserve, looking for lemurs and other wildlife. You may also want to visit the museum of Antandroy ethnic group. You will overnight at a local lodge.

Meals

Breakfast, Dinner

CDay 3Berenty

Enjoy a full day exploring the Berenty Reserve with your experienced guide. Established in 1936 by sisal planter Henri de Heaulme to preserve the forest, the reserve is now managed by Heaulme’s son Jean de Heaulme but was not opened to tourists until the early 1980’s The forest features many baobabs and over 115 plant species, providing habitat for a variety of wildlife. Large populations of ringtails, brown lemurs, and the cuddly and comical sifaka live here. Berenty is also good for bird-watching with 83 bird species, 9 of which are birds of prey including the large Madagascar buzzard. In addition, there are 26 species of reptile, including two species of chameleon, the radiated tortoise, and the rare Madagascan spider tortoise. You will also have the opportunity for an evening walk through the reserve in search of some of the nocturnal wildlife in the spiny forest.

Meals

Breakfast, Dinner

DDay 4Tana

Today you will return to Ft. Dauphin for your flight back to Tana. Upon arrival, you will be transferred back to your local hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. You will now have time to visit Lemur’s park, located about 18km (about 11 miles) from Antananarivo. The main attraction is obviously viewing the lemurs, specifically the “microbes”, as well as the numerous turtles also housed in the park.

Meals

Breakfast, Dinner

EDay 5Perinet Reserve

After breakfast, you will drive to Andasibe, then to Perinet Reserve (known locally as Analamazoatra, for the river that runs through the reserve) through the green and luxuriant vegetation of the east. After check-in at your local lodge, you will visit the Private Vakona Reserve. The walk-in this reserve leads you around a lake, which is home to a number of crocodiles. You will find other reptiles to admire as well as aquatic birds. This evening, look forward to a night walk.

Meals

Breakfast, Dinner

FDay 6Perinet

This morning you will take a walk in the rainforests of Perinet Reserve. As you hike through the forests, search for indigenous plants and animals, including the wildly known and highly endangered lemur, the Indri indri. Many other lemur species inhabit the forest, including the woolly, greater dwarf, brown mouse, grey bamboo, common brown, red-footed brown, black and white ruffed lemurs and bats. This 810 hectare (about 2000 acres) also holds a world record for numbers of frog species among rainforests of comparable size.

Meals

Breakfast, Dinner

GDay 7Perinet / Tana

Take a morning walk in Mantadia Reserve after breakfast. Mantadia is a primary rainforest and home to many species not found in Perinet. This includes the diademed sifaka and ruffed lemur, and sought after birds like the Pitta-like ground-roller, short-legged ground-roller, forest rock thrush among others. After lunch, you will drive back to Tana, stopping at a reptile farm along the way. You will check into your local hotel for your overnight in Tana.

Meals

Breakfast

HDay 8Tana / Nosy Be

This morning you transfer to the airport for your flight to Nosy Be, a tiny tropical island off the coast of Madagascar. Endless beaches rim turquoise lagoons, lush jungles, and exotic plantations. From your plane, you will see the vast area of Madagascar that has been devastated beyond ecological redemption thorough clearing, erosion and overgrazing. Seeing how little remains of the natural areas will impress upon you little time remains to save this amazing place. Consider an optional late afternoon excursion to Mont Passot, the island’s highest point for a spectacular view of blue lagoons, crater lakes, and lush forests. You will overnight at a local hotel.

IDay 9Nosy Be

Today you will explore some of the smaller islands off Nosy Be. Enjoy a visit to Nosy Komba, a small volcanic island with resident black lemurs. Before sailing to Nosy Tanikely. Enjoy an afternoon of swimming and snorkeling at the marine reserve. This officially protected reserve is one of the best remaining sites for snorkeling in the area. Return to your hotel for your overnight.

JDay 10Nosy Be / Tana / Onward

Spend your final morning in Madagascar exploring Nosy Be or just relaxing at the resort. Fly back to Tana. Time permitting; visit the souvenir market for some last-minute shopping. You will have a day-room reserved for you to refresh yourself before transferring to the airport for your flight home.

NOTE: Madagascar frequently presents unique travel challenges. In order to prevent unhappy experiences, the traveler must expect delays, itinerary and hotel changes if circumstance dictates and other obstacles such as poor roads and vehicles that have been nurtured to a long life. Accommodations are some of the best available, but they are not without quirks and malfunctions such as lack of hot water at times. If you require more than basic food and comfort and are shaken by the unexpected, then this may not be the trip for you. On the other hand, if you are open to adventure and are willing to accept the unexpected, then you’ll experience amazing flora, exotic wildlife, and unique cultures. Given all of this, Madagascar is one of the true destinations of a lifetime.

Best Time of Year to Visit

Itinerary

ADay 1Arrive in Antananarivo

Upon arrival in Antananarivo (‘Tana’ – the City of a Thousand Warriors), you will be met and transferred to your local hotel.

Meals

Dinner

BDay 2Fort Dauphin to Berenty Reserve

This morning you will transfer back to the airport for your flight to the town of Ft. Dauphin. Upon arrival, you will depart overland on a two-hour scenic drive to Berenty, a unique private nature sanctuary in the extreme southeast of Madagascar. Berenty is located at the end of a vast mountain range near many tropical beaches. Here you will spend time exploring the Berenty Reserve, looking for lemurs and other wildlife. You may also want to visit the museum of Antandroy ethnic group. You will overnight at a local lodge.

Meals

Breakfast, Dinner

CDay 3Berenty

Enjoy a full day exploring the Berenty Reserve with your experienced guide. Established in 1936 by sisal planter Henri de Heaulme to preserve the forest, the reserve is now managed by Heaulme’s son Jean de Heaulme but was not opened to tourists until the early 1980’s The forest features many baobabs and over 115 plant species, providing habitat for a variety of wildlife. Large populations of ringtails, brown lemurs, and the cuddly and comical sifaka live here. Berenty is also good for bird-watching with 83 bird species, 9 of which are birds of prey including the large Madagascar buzzard. In addition, there are 26 species of reptile, including two species of chameleon, the radiated tortoise, and the rare Madagascan spider tortoise. You will also have the opportunity for an evening walk through the reserve in search of some of the nocturnal wildlife in the spiny forest.

Meals

Breakfast, Dinner

DDay 4Tana

Today you will return to Ft. Dauphin for your flight back to Tana. Upon arrival, you will be transferred back to your local hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. You will now have time to visit Lemur’s park, located about 18km (about 11 miles) from Antananarivo. The main attraction is obviously viewing the lemurs, specifically the “microbes”, as well as the numerous turtles also housed in the park.

Meals

Breakfast, Dinner

EDay 5Perinet Reserve

After breakfast, you will drive to Andasibe, then to Perinet Reserve (known locally as Analamazoatra, for the river that runs through the reserve) through the green and luxuriant vegetation of the east. After check-in at your local lodge, you will visit the Private Vakona Reserve. The walk-in this reserve leads you around a lake, which is home to a number of crocodiles. You will find other reptiles to admire as well as aquatic birds. This evening, look forward to a night walk.

Meals

Breakfast, Dinner

FDay 6Perinet

This morning you will take a walk in the rainforests of Perinet Reserve. As you hike through the forests, search for indigenous plants and animals, including the wildly known and highly endangered lemur, the Indri indri. Many other lemur species inhabit the forest, including the woolly, greater dwarf, brown mouse, grey bamboo, common brown, red-footed brown, black and white ruffed lemurs and bats. This 810 hectare (about 2000 acres) also holds a world record for numbers of frog species among rainforests of comparable size.

Meals

Breakfast, Dinner

GDay 7Perinet / Tana

Take a morning walk in Mantadia Reserve after breakfast. Mantadia is a primary rainforest and home to many species not found in Perinet. This includes the diademed sifaka and ruffed lemur, and sought after birds like the Pitta-like ground-roller, short-legged ground-roller, forest rock thrush among others. After lunch, you will drive back to Tana, stopping at a reptile farm along the way. You will check into your local hotel for your overnight in Tana.

Meals

Breakfast

HDay 8Tana / Nosy Be

This morning you transfer to the airport for your flight to Nosy Be, a tiny tropical island off the coast of Madagascar. Endless beaches rim turquoise lagoons, lush jungles, and exotic plantations. From your plane, you will see the vast area of Madagascar that has been devastated beyond ecological redemption thorough clearing, erosion and overgrazing. Seeing how little remains of the natural areas will impress upon you little time remains to save this amazing place. Consider an optional late afternoon excursion to Mont Passot, the island’s highest point for a spectacular view of blue lagoons, crater lakes, and lush forests. You will overnight at a local hotel.

IDay 9Nosy Be

Today you will explore some of the smaller islands off Nosy Be. Enjoy a visit to Nosy Komba, a small volcanic island with resident black lemurs. Before sailing to Nosy Tanikely. Enjoy an afternoon of swimming and snorkeling at the marine reserve. This officially protected reserve is one of the best remaining sites for snorkeling in the area. Return to your hotel for your overnight.

JDay 10Nosy Be / Tana / Onward

Spend your final morning in Madagascar exploring Nosy Be or just relaxing at the resort. Fly back to Tana. Time permitting; visit the souvenir market for some last-minute shopping. You will have a day-room reserved for you to refresh yourself before transferring to the airport for your flight home.

NOTE: Madagascar frequently presents unique travel challenges. In order to prevent unhappy experiences, the traveler must expect delays, itinerary and hotel changes if circumstance dictates and other obstacles such as poor roads and vehicles that have been nurtured to a long life. Accommodations are some of the best available, but they are not without quirks and malfunctions such as lack of hot water at times. If you require more than basic food and comfort and are shaken by the unexpected, then this may not be the trip for you. On the other hand, if you are open to adventure and are willing to accept the unexpected, then you’ll experience amazing flora, exotic wildlife, and unique cultures. Given all of this, Madagascar is one of the true destinations of a lifetime.

Land Cost (Group Size 2)

$6,195

Land Cost (Group Size 3-10)

$4,695

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+ $675

Need to Know

NOTE: Madagascar frequently presents unique travel challenges. In order to prevent unhappy experiences, the traveler must expect delays, itinerary and hotel changes if circumstance dictates and other obstacles such as poor roads and vehicles that have been nurtured to a long life. Accommodations are some of the best available, but they are not without quirks and malfunctions such as lack of hot water at times. If you require more than basic food and comfort and are shaken by the unexpected, then this may not be the trip for you. On the other hand, if you are open to adventure and are willing to accept the unexpected, then you’ll experience amazing flora, exotic wildlife and unique cultures. Given all of this, Madagascar is one of the true destinations of a lifetime.

Pricing and Payment

Reservations are accepted and confirmed after we receive a non-refundable booking deposit and a Reservation Form signed by each adult on the trip as well as by the guardian for each child on the trip, and if space is available. For most group departures, the booking deposit is $500 per person per trip, though for some trips it may be more, as noted in the trip description.

The minimum booking deposit requirement for custom trips is $800 per person, and this deposit is non-refundable. A trip-planning fee of $250 per itinerary is also charged to cover costs of preparing itinerary proposals for custom trips. This fee is credited to the cost of the trip, but is nonrefundable if you do not take the trip. Custom travel during holiday seasons may require a deposit prior to trip confirmation.

An invoice for the total estimated cost of your itinerary will be sent with your reservation confirmation. For both group departures and custom trips, a second deposit of $1,000 per person is due 120 days prior to departure or at the time of booking for reservations made fewer than 120 days before departure. The balance as shown on your invoice is due 60 days prior to departure regardless of whether extensions or other arrangements are pending. Although we do our best to avoid increasing prices after we receive your deposit, in some cases it may be necessary to adjust pricing even after we receive payment to allow for changes in group size, rooming status, currency exchange rate fluctuations, fuel surcharges and other circumstances attendant to international travel. Late payments may jeopardize confirmation of your itinerary and in some cases may result in additional fees. If we have not received final payment 30 days prior to departure your reservation may be canceled and subject to our Cancellation & Refund Policy stated below.

We accept payments by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or check drawn on a U.S. bank account. Payment for airfare is required at the time of ticketing. Discounts that may be available for some trips are not available toward bookings made through travel agencies.

Late Signups

Early reservations are encouraged! Some trips and flights fill several months before departure. We can confirm your space on a trip once we receive your deposit and signed Reservation Form. We try, but cannot guarantee, to accept late signups. In the event that we are able to accept reservations fewer than 60 days before a trip departure, additional fees may apply to cover administrative costs necessary to expedite your reservation confirmation and transmit your departure materials. For reservations made fewer than 60 days before departure, full payment will be due at the time of booking.

Cancellations & Refunds

If you must cancel before departure, you may request a refund according to the following schedule. Some trips require additional non-refundable payments as noted in the trip description or in the trip itinerary.

Days Prior to Departure

Cancellation Penalty

90 or more

Non-refundable booking deposit and trip planning fee, if applicable

45-89

30% of total land costs

31-44

75% of total land costs

0-30

100% of total land costs

Please note: cancellation of airfare, other transit, and lodging is subject to the policies of the individual carriers or providers and are not included in the schedule above. Additional cancellation fees are the responsibility of the traveler. We strongly recommend that all travelers purchase travel insurance that includes coverage for trip cancellation or interruption which may reimburse you for cancellation penalties and extra trip expenses should a circumstance covered by the policy force you to cancel or interrupt your trip.

Departure is defined as the date on which travelers will leave their home state, province or city, or the trip departure date as indicated on the trip itinerary, whichever comes first. Cancelation date will be considered the date that we receive written notification of your intent to cancel.

Payments due at the time of cancellation remain the responsibility of the client. No partial refunds are possible for unused hotel rooms, air or land travel, trekking days, or other sight-seeing arrangements included in the land cost.

In the event Journeys International cancels a trip, for any reason, all money for services described in the trip description, less airline ticket cancellation fees, will be refunded.

Air Fares

We can help you to secure air travel arrangements to correspond with land travel booked through Journeys International. We work with an airfare consolidator to assist in booking the flights that suit your needs. Journeys International may charge a ticketing fee for this service. For group departures, if you prefer to fly on dates other than those listed as trip dates, or if you arrive at your destination other than at the group arrival time, then you may incur an additional fee to cover the separate transfer, contingency, and coordination costs which frequently arise from arrival and departure on flights different from our regular bookings. We will let you know about these fees ahead of time, if they apply. If you must change your air routing after ticketing, there is a charge of $50 per change, in addition to change or cancellation charges levied by the airline.

If you decide to make your own flight arrangements, you must provide Journeys International with a complete copy of your itinerary showing departure and arrival flights and times. You should plan to arrange your own air travel if you are using mileage credit or originating outside North America, but please be in touch with our office before you finalize ticketing so that we can help you to coordinate the correct arrival and departure dates and times.

Transfers Between Trips

You may transfer between some trips upon written request. More than 90 days before departure, the deposit transfer fee is $100 per person plus any cancellation fees charged by hotels or ground service providers. Less than 90 days before departure, full cancellation penalties from the original trip apply. In the event that Journeys International cancels a trip, you may transfer the full amount of your land payments to another trip without penalty.

Expenses Covered

Normally, our stated land costs include the cost of all guides, leaders, permits obtained after arrival, lodging accommodations, food and entry fees as specified, and all surface transportation associated with the planned itinerary. We do our best to avoid increasing prices after receipt of your deposit, but, rarely, factors beyond our control might require us to change our prices without prior notice, even after you have signed up.

Expenses Not Covered

Costs not included in the price may include: meals not indicated as included in itineraries; meals prior to arrival in starting cities; transfers, if not arriving or departing on the scheduled group flights; soft drinks, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages; medical expenses, costs of hospitalization, or evacuation from remote areas; laundry; airport departure taxes not included on your airline ticket; accommodations en route to starting cities; visas; airfares; gratuities; and insurance.

If a trip must be extended or an itinerary modified due to weather, road conditions, labor interruption, lack of transportation, political or civil disputes, medical emergency, or other causes beyond our control, then the traveler may incur additional costs that are not included in the trip price. We strongly recommend that all travelers obtain travel insurance to cover these risks.

Group-Sized Pricing & Group Minimums

Many trips are guaranteed to depart at prices published on our website with as few as two participants. However, in some cases it is necessary to adjust prices to reflect smaller group sizes. We do everything we can to make a trip operate as planned even with a single participant. Additional costs for small groups amounts vary from trip to trip. Final decision to cancel a trip due to insufficient signups is made 30 days prior to departure.

Pre-Departure Services

We look forward to working with you! After we receive your deposit we will send you a pre-departure information packet containing things like medical and immunization information, visa and other permit forms, a recommendation for travel insurance, packing checklist, reading list, cross-cultural information, and an initial invoice for the balance due. If you would like, we can also book your extended land travel arrangements for before and after your trip. About 2-3 weeks before departure, we will send you a final departure packet including last minute reminders and local contact information for your destination. We send some of our materials by mail, so if you are leaving home before the scheduled trip departure date, please let us know how we can best reach you so that you will receive your materials prior to your departure.

Please call our office at any time if you have questions about your trip or for additional information.

Lodging Accommodations

Lodging accommodations are usually double occupancy in hotel rooms, tents, or other facilities as described or noted in trip itineraries. Please contact our office to discuss pricing and availability of alternative accommodations. We try to honor specific requests for lodging, but in some cases we may have to book and confirm equivalent standard accommodations. If you are traveling alone but would prefer a roommate, then let us know! We are often able to match solo travelers. If a roommate is not available or if you prefer single accommodation, then you must pay the Single Supplement, if one applies. On some trips, it is not possible to guarantee single accommodations.

Fitness to Travel

Good physical and mental health are essential for the enjoyment of Journeys International’s trips. In many cases participants travel in rugged areas remote from modern medical facilities. Good physical conditioning is recommended as preparation for all trips, especially those involving trekking. Most trips require some walking. By paying the booking deposit and signing the Reservation Form, the traveler certifies that he/she is fit for rigorous travel and does not have any physical, mental, or other condition that would create a hazard for him/herself or other travelers. It is essential that any participant with a medical condition requiring regular treatment or which may be affected by vigorous activity, prolonged travel, high altitude, heat, cold, natural phenomena, or particular foods, notify Journeys International in writing prior to booking.

We assume no responsibility for medical care and we cannot guarantee meeting special dietary requirements or vegetarian needs. Participants may be required to furnish a physician’s statement of good health. Journeys International’s or the individual trip leader’s or guide’s judgment shall provide the ultimate determination of an individual’s fitness to embark upon, or to continue, a trip. Journeys International reserves the right to refuse reservations or deny participation prior to departure of anyone whom it deems unsuitable for a trip. Once a trip has been confirmed, medical circumstances will not be considered as exceptions to our cancellation policy. All participants must be covered by a current major medical insurance policy for the duration of their trip. Proof of such coverage may be requested.

Duration 10 Days

The number of days, or duration, in a destination corresponds with the itinerary as published. This is the time period covered by the land cost. The total number of days includes the time required to travel between the USA and the destination country.

Group Size 3 - 10

The stated range indicates minimum required for guaranteed departure and maximum accepted on the scheduled dates. Exceptions can often be made for private departures.

Comfort Level

Delightful

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Comfortable & delightful hotels

Activity Level

Vigorous

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Some hiking & travel over rough roads

Why Journeys International

Our purpose is to understand the journey you are on – not just the vacation you want to take – and to help you on your way.

We are here to help you plan the trip that will move you closer to your goals and help you fulfill your dreams.

We are here to help you plan a more inspiring, more provocative, more breathtaking, more transformational adventure.

We say “adventure” and not “trip” because, for us, a trip is just going someplace else, but an adventure is an experience that takes you someplace beyond your comfort zone – and therefore maximizes the potential for wonder, discovery, and potentially transformation.

Why trust Journeys to plan that kind of experience with you?

Journeys is an award-winning industry-leader with more than 40 years in business planning creative and thoughtful adventures in interesting places around the world

Our staff is professional and devoted, with adventure specialists in Ann Arbor and guides in the field who take pride in traveler satisfaction; many stay with us for decades

Our Ecological Code of Ethics has long stood as a model for others, and our Earth Preservation Fund puts our money where our mouth is

We go to the farthest corners of the earth – you’ll see some pretty remote destinations on our list, and if you want to challenge us with something new, we’ll likely be willing (though we’ll make sure you know if we’ve never experienced it firsthand)

We’re real people like you, starting with the real person who will answer the phone, right through the owner, Robin Pollak, who you can talk to any time you want (or even her parents, Joan & Will Weber, who started the company!)

We ask lots of questions and get to know you as well as possible to we can design the best experience for YOU

Your unique itinerary includes sites, accommodations, activities, and meetings with people hand selected for personal goals, passions, interests and abilities

Your personal adventure specialist stays with you from trip planning through departure to answer all your questions – promptly – and make sure every detail is handled so you are well prepared for your trip

Our partners on the ground in your destination will welcome you as a friend of a friend; we’ve been working with many of them for ages

We’re open and clear, and offer a complete picture of what you can expect while traveling. We don’t want to make an easy sale; we want to make an honest one.

24-hour emergency phone support while traveling

We’ll be excited to hear about the trip when you get back, and take all feedback seriously

Our travelers come back again and again, for five, ten, or more adventures — and they trust us enough to send their friends to us, too

Superior

Deluxe

Uncommon

The most indulgent accommodations arranged specially for private trips.

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Single Supplement

The single supplement is applicable if a roommate is not available or if single accommodation is specifically requested. While single accommodation is not available on all trips, we will try and honor this request whenever possible.